Impepho

Impepho, also spelt imphepho, is a vernacular name for various herbs in the genus Helichrysum that are used in South Africa for traditional cultural, medicinal and spiritual purposes. It is commonly burned as incense, but may also be prepared as an infusion or decoction for medicinal use. The article lists the species known as impepho as Helichrysum cymosum, epapposum, gymnocomum, natalitium, nudifolium, odoratissimum and petiolare. The name impepho is used in isiXhosa and imphepho in isiZulu. The article says impepho is primarily associated with prayer, ritual cleansing and the veneration of ancestors, and that burning it is understood as the primary means of communicating with ancestral spirits. In sangoma practice it is burned during consultations, initiation rites, divination sessions and ceremonies. Some churches, such as the Shembe Church, have integrated impepho into worship. In Lesotho it is burned to fumigate the rooms of sick people.